Check Traffic

Check Traffic
Live Cameras, Conditions

°

Homepage / Houston News
Text Size

Officers Suspended, Indicted In Grenade Prank

2 Full-Time Officers, 5 Reserves Suspended

POSTED: Tuesday, July 4, 2006
UPDATED: 2:31 pm CDT July 4, 2006

Twenty percent of Hempstead's police officers were suspended after felony indictments were issued against them, KPRC Local 2 exclusively reported Monday.

The Hempstead Police Department only has 13 officers.

KPRC Local 2 broke the story in 2004 when members of the Cypress Creek EMS Tactical Medics Unit were accused of setting off SWAT team grenades just for fun.

The first flash-bang grenade blew up under a police car at a Hempstead truck stop, sending police running out with guns.

"That would have been very scary," truck stop manager Mohammad Khan said. "Thank God there was no customer at that time."

Hempstead's police chief promised he would investigate, but then the same reserve officer was accused of setting another grenade off at a back-yard party.

One party guest lost a foot.

Two full-time officers and five reserve officers have been charged with felony evidence tampering, accused of trying to cover it up.

"Physical evidence at the scene, as alleged in the indictment, is the removal of physical evidence and cleaning up of a potential crime scene," Montgomery County Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams said.

The fire marshal said 91 of the SWAT team grenades were confiscated from the Cy-Creek firehouse where most of the men were on a team of tactical medics.

Brad England, the head of Cy-Creek EMS, is among those charged.

The fire marshal said all of the confiscated grenades were unregistered or they were registered as far away as Connecticut, with police departments that never heard of the accused men.

"They had no knowledge," Williams said. "They never had possession of those and had no knowledge of why they'd be registered to them."

Gene Williams, the tactical medic accused of setting off both grenades, was charged with felony assault and evidence tampering.

Williams turned himself in on Monday.

Reserve officers Wren Nealy, Leeland Miller and Nick Robbins turned themselves in Tuesday. They have all posted bond.

England, along with full-time officers David Schmidt and Jason Martinez, have warrants out for their arrest.

Gene Williams was fired from the Hempstead police force, but he remained on duty at Cy-Creek EMS after the first grenade prank.

Hempstead's police chief said it could be a while for these cases to wrap through the court system. He is checking with city leaders to determine how he should deal with so many suspended officers.
Text Size

Sponsored Links

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
There is no absolute number of drinks per day that defines alcoholism. Learn the behavior and body reactions that constitute alcoholism. More

By designing a great outdoor living space you can quickly enhance the value of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers. More

If you have aspirations of becoming a millionaire, check out these five habits that may be worth emulating. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

  • VideosClick to Expand

    • Police Chase Ends Atop Parking Ramp

      July 6, 2009: A driver leads police on a chase through several cities and parts of the Houston area for more than an hour. Ryan Korsgard reports.

    • Chase Suspect Jumps To Death

      July 5, 2009: A man who was speeding away from authorities struck a concrete wall and jumped 50 feet to his death off a highway exit ramp. Lisa Baldwin reports.

    • Arrest Made In 2008 Slaying

      July 5, 2009: An arrest is made in a slaying the Wheel of Justice team has been following for more than a year. Joel Eisenbaum reports.

    • Forest Fire Rages West Of Houston

      July 6, 2009: Hundreds of acres of land have been burned by a forest fire west of Houston, KPRC Local 2 reports.

    • Home Lost In Forest Fire

      July 6, 2009: A forest fire in Colorado County has burned nearly 2,000 acres of land, KPRC Local 2 reports. Phil Archer reports.

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand